We had a curious evening on thursday. Our housegroup was cancelled at the last minute and instead of cancelling our babysitter we decided to have an evening out. I can't remember the last time we were spontaneous in anything and it was a little unnerving for me as all i could think of was "what on earth are we going to talk about?". So we ended up at the Snuff Mills Harvester for a drink, nachos and a huge pecan toffee sundae, and we had a lovely evening just chatting.

My mum told me off yeturday for forgetting our wedding anniversary (it's at the end of the month), saying that we have to take time out to celebrate our marriage. I agree with her totally but i would prefer to celebrate more often than once a year - which is also why i don't buy into valentines day, i think i should show steve i love him every single day. Still, i took her up on the offer of babysitting so we can now go out and celebrate. Anyone suggest a good restuarant?

Just come home from our church weekend away and it was a blast! The youth, with whom we spent most of our time with, were great fun and it was nice to catch up with people. Favourite moments? The pub quiz, watching megs and steve play in the swimming pool, watching two of the young people get stuck into ministry time, and knowing that my baby Joe was much loved by all who cuddled him.

We spent every session with the youth looking at Romans 12 and i think they enjoyed it. We had planned lots of activities hoping to fill the time but we largely just ended up chatting. It's funny but steve and i have done a bit of a role reversal. Usually it would have been me doing most of the talking, but this time Steve pretty much led the group and the discussions (with me chipping in when i felt we needed to get back on the point), and the guys seemed to really listen to him.

It feels like we've started where we left off with the guys, and are really feeling the benefit of our time off (me being far more chilled out for a start). I'm reallly looking forward to building on what we established in the homegroup - exciting times ahead!

Joe has been properly smiling for a good week now, and today i think i got a giggle! Not quite sure what was so amusing though. It's lovely because Steve gets a smile and a conversation from him before he goes to work, which lifts his day, and Megan feels like she's interacting with her little brother - far more interesting for her.

Youth home group is going really well, we had our second one on Sunday and 5 turned up (it was 3 the previous week). I was far more nervous this time as one of the boys turned up and i realised i hadn't had a conversation with him since i lead his group in kidswork, about 2 years ago. Not knowing what to expect i was pleasently suprised at what a lovely young man he has become. I'm really looking forward to hanging out with them all this weekend at the houseparty...which we are leading!!!

Yes, we are running the youth work on the weekend after much deliberating. I think we both feel it is so important that the youth have a program as full and organised as the adult one, with youth workers who want to invest quality time, not just for the weekend but for the long-haul. Andy and Kat are running the work with us (i've been looking forward to seeing kat in action - she's bonkers!) and there will be lots of suprises for the young people. Not sure how it's going to work with a 6 week old and a 3 year old who doesn't sleep well in strange surroundings, especially as half the program is happening in the evenings. Lots of prayer please!